2009 NHL Draft: Fletcher's first splash and RFA info

From the outside looking in, it may not seem like the Minnesota Wild made any big splashes during the NHL Draft weekend, but take a closer look. Not only did Chuck Fletcher snag the top-rated goaltender in the draft, securing a spot that will need some good depth with the fact that Josh Harding will be moving before the 2009/10 season ends, but they also definitely restocked the cupboard with young players who should be able to make an impact in the next few years. It will be a shock if any of the Wild's draft picks play a game in the Iron Range Red sweaters this season, but most should have a fair shot in the next few years, and none will be watched more closely than the Wild's first round pick, current Mr. Hockey, Nick Leddy.

Leddy is the kind of player that, once he grows into his talent, could very easily be a keystone to a dominant team. A skilled defenseman with a definite ability to generate offense, picture him in a few years skating next to Norris Trophy-candidate Brent Burns. For that to happen, of course, Burns needs to rediscover his own magic, and Leddy needs to continue his development through the college ranks, but the two could be a scary tandem. And, while Marek Zidlicky and Marc-Andre Bergeron also carry the moniker "offensive defenseman", Leddy has the blue line skills to keep from being a detriment on the ice. That will definitely come in handy if Fletcher and Todd Richards are able to build the kind of pace they're looking for.

Fletcher was also working the trade wires, and, while he wasn't able to land the big fish he was looking for (and the verdict is still out on just how good in red Heatley would look), he did make some moves that showed a bit of hockey savvy. The trade that may have raised the biggest eyebrows, especially in light of today's qualifying offers to restricted free agents, was the trade for Edmonton's Kyle Brodziak. Brodziak is a very similar player in style to Dan Fritsche, and the Wild looked fairly content with Fritsche last season. However, bringing Brodziak in means that, today, Fritsche learned he will become an unrestricted free agent with the likes of the two Marians (Gaborik and Hossa). Overall, a very very smart business move by Fletcher. A qualifying offer to Fritsche would have cost around twice as much as making a qualifying offer to Brodziak, and, if they really do bring the same thing to the on-ice product, then the move will prove brilliant. Especially because freeing up that extra money will allow the Wild to show that they have plenty to spend on the unrestricted free agents, when that circus begins on Wednesday.